Common thyroid conditions, pubertal disorders and screening guidelines for diabetes are among the topics featured at an endocrinology conference hosted by CHOC Children’s on April 14. We spoke with Dr. Amrit Bhangoo, pediatric endocrinologist at CHOC, about the anticipated event.

A: We’re so excited about the upcoming conference. The last one, held about two years ago, drew a large attendance including community primary care providers, medical students, registered nurses and patient advocacy groups. This year, attendees should look forward to enhancing their knowledge in endocrine scenarios they commonly encounter in everyday practice. The speakers will cover the latest in the obesity epidemic, interventions that work with children, as well as diabetes screening guidelines. We will also discuss common thyroid conditions such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and the follow up needed in such cases.

Further, we will discuss what’s changing with the prevalence and diagnosis of thyroid nodules and cancer in children. Additionally, we will talk about pubertal disorders and how to tease apart the different variants of early puberty such as premature adrenarche from precocious puberty.

Q: What can attendees expect to learn tied to obesity/prediabetes?

A: The good news is that the obesity prevalence rates in children and adolescents are not rising, and are holding fairly stable at about 17 percent. The prevalence of obesity for minority children is higher and more than 20 percent. We continue to see children develop complications from obesity, which can be detected early and most of which could have been prevented.

At the conference, we will discuss some of the screening tools and how to use them in the primary care setting. In addition, participants can expect to learn the various screening criteria for Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Q: What other topic are you looking forward to at this year’s conference?

A: We are going to dedicate the afternoon to transgender care and will have expert speakers from CHOC and UC Irvine discuss the medical management of this patient population. This will be followed by in depth conversation about the psychosocial aspects of being a transgender and gender non-conforming youth in today’s society and discuss what tools are available in the community to support them.

“Navigating the Endocrine Essentials: What the General Practitioner Needs to Know About Prediabetes, Thyroid, Puberty, and Transgender Care,” will be held Saturday, April 14, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at CHOC Children’s Hospital, Harold Wade Education Center. Register and learn more here.